Bible Speaks by Rev. L. Althouse 

 

Nov. 2, 2014

Background Scripture: Ezekiel 40:1-43:12

For the first four Sundays of November, we will be studying the Book of Ezekiel. Although we actually know little about Ezekiel and scholars are so divided about his life and work, there are a few things we are able to deduce from the text of his book.

In the first 32 chapters of Ezekiel there are mentioned 11 specific dates – day, month and year. In Ezekiel 1:3 we are told he is the son of Buzi, of whom, unfortunately, we know nothing. Ezekiel also tells us he was a priest of the priestly family of Zadok (43:19), and that he began his ministry roughly five years before the final destruction of Jerusalem.

In 597 B.C., along with the best citizens of Jerusalem, he was carried into Babylonian captivity and exile. It does not appear he was ever able to return to his homeland. Five years later, we find him living with his beloved wife in a furnished house situated on the banks of the “river Chebar,” a tributary of the River Euphrates.

Like his predecessor, the Prophet Jeremiah, his initial message was further judgment of the exiles – but from the sorrowing perspective of a pastor, not as judge. Later, his message included the conviction that God would eventually reestablish a Hebrew Jerusalem and its Temple, the theme of the chapters we will be studying: 43 and 47.

This brings us to a factor that is so self-evident, it is usually overlooked in studying the Bible: If, instead of 6th century B.C., Ezekiel had lived and ministered in the preceding century or even the following century, the facts of his life and message would have been entirely different. In fact, God’s message to and through Ezekiel would have been different.

Another time, another place, another people, another message. So, we should not expect Ezekiel’s prophecies – or any other prophet’s – to necessarily apply in every time and place. They may or they may not.

God’s glory

Ezekiel tells us about how God spoke to him: “The glory of Israel was coming from the east; and the earth shone with his glory … Then he led me to the east gate, where the glory of Israel’s God was coming in from the east. Its sound was like the sound of a mighty flood, and the earth was lit up with his glory … and I fell on my face. Then God’s glory came into the temple by way of the east gate” (43:1-4).

We may wonder why God chose Ezekiel for his message and not someone else. But perhaps God did speak to someone else and they were not open to hearing the message or, hearing God, they failed to respond.

Whatever and whoever Ezekiel was, he was “open” to the message. Ezekiel uses human images and words to communicate his experience with the Divine. Why? Because that is all that we have: Human word-pictures for an experience that goes beyond all words and all pictures.

There probably were those who, if they had the same experience, would have described it differently or even not at all. But Ezekiel humbly fell on his face and God spoke to him. There are probably those of us who would respond: “If I could have an experience like that, maybe I could respond as Ezekiel did.” Maybe “yes,” maybe “no.”

Many years ago, my wife and I went to Germany to participate in an event with Bavarian Protestants. Upon arriving in Nuremberg, we were billeted with a local official and his wife. They spoke little English and we, even less German. That evening, when we retired to our room, my wife became very ill and we felt trapped in a situation that we seemed unable to handle.

In the middle of the night I awoke and saw a shadowy figure at the foot of our bed. As I raised my head, I heard these words: “Fear not – all is well.” Then the figure touched the foot of the bed and a great electric-type shock seemed to shake the bed!

I said nothing because I already thought I “knew” his identity. Then the figure disappeared and I sank back into the pillows for what proved to be an untroubled, peaceful sleep.

Beyond the normal

The next morning when we awoke, I was relieved to find her fever was gone and she “felt fine.” I had no desire then – and still do not – to persuade anyone my experience was not imaginary, not a dream. But it doesn’t matter, for she was whole and I was no longer anxious.

Was this an experience of Christ? For me the answer is “yes,” for I believe there are other dimensions to human existence and, for a moment, I experienced something I regard not as “supernatural” – contrary to reality – but “paranormal,” or contrary to our normal experience.

Instead of pondering how Ezekiel got his guidance, we need to think about how God may communicate with us today.

Much of Ezekiel’s message was a warning that Israel’s people were forsaking God and, therefore, great calamity would fall upon them, their temple and nation.

Typically, they assumed surely God did not mean them, his favored children, but somebody else. Perhaps, like us, they assumed: “We are God’s chosen few; all others will be damned. There is no place in Heaven for you. We can’t have Heaven crammed!”

While individuals may realize they have sinned and need to repent, few of us will admit that our church, our nation or our group has sinned in God’s sight and needs to repent. Yet, just as individuals need to be convicted of their sin, confess and receive forgiveness, so do those groups in which we participate: churches, denominations, political parties, races, nations – any of the groups to which we assign our consciences.

That was at the heart of Ezekiel’s message to Israel. And it is a message we still need to hear – consider and then repent.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Those with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.